I, a bondsman just released from the yoke, freed for one week from twenty-one years of constraint, must, of necessity, resume the fetters of dependency.

Hardly had I tasted the delight of being without a master when duty issued her stern mandate: "Go forth and seek another service." I never linger over a painful and necessary task; I never take pleasure before business, it is not in my nature to do so; impossible to enjoy a leisurely walk over the city, though I perceived the morning was very fine, until I had first presented Mr.Hunsden's letter of introduction, and got fairly on to the track of a new situation.

Wrenching my mind from liberty and delight, I seized my hat, and forced my reluctant body out of the Hotel de -- -- into the foreign street.
It was a fine day, but I would not look at the blue sky or at the stately houses round me; my mind was bent on one thing, finding out "Mr.
Brown, Numero -- , Rue Royale," for so my letter was addressed.

By dint of inquiry I succeeded; I stood at last at the desired door, knocked, asked for Mr.Brown, and was admitted.
Being shown into a small breakfast-room, I found myself in the presence of an elderly gentleman--very grave, business-like, and respectable-looking.

I presented Mr.Hunsden's letter; he received me very civilly.